The Online Magazine of the International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association
May 2024
Get ready for the latest edition of Runner Tracks, which marks the end of another season. Featuring an incredible cover shot captured by Swiss photographer Gilles Morelle during the 2024 Worlds in Parnu, Estonia. Whether you are an experienced ice boater or a newcomer, Runner Tracks is the ultimate resource for everything related to ice boating. Check out the complete online library here.
The Online Magazine of the International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association
December 2023
It’s time to reveal the December edition of Runner Tracks and revisit the Western Challenge to discover why this event is one of the best in the world of ice sailing. There’s also a nice surprise photospread at the end from Michigan DNer and photographer Chris Clark US4789.
Whether you are an experienced ice boater or a newcomer, Runner Tracks is the ultimate resource for everything related to ice boating. Check out the complete online library here.
As we approach Minnesota’s Western Challenge in 37 days, here’s a practical article on DN iceboat plank deflection recently forwarded to a new DN builder and sailor by Warren Nethercote KC3786.
John Jambock’s article was published in the 1991 DN Newsletter. Deflection is a critical factor in improving the performance of an iceboat, and it determines how well the boat handles on the frozen surface. John Jombock’s article provides valuable insights into the optimal thickness and materials for planks that can achieve the required stiffness.
If you’re interested in exploring more articles with technical and sailing tips, check out our archive from the original DN class website originally created by Paul Goodwin. There’s a wealth of knowledge waiting for you there. IDNIYRA Website Articles Archive
Members of IDNIYRA in North America and Europe recently received postal ballot concerning approval of the EPIC and Regatta Management Agreements, and deletion of the current Specifications Management System (SMS), because the EPIC and Regatta management Agreements would replace the SMS. Ballots closed on Novembers 29th and on November 30th the Executive Secretaries in North America and Europe organized the counting of ballots.
One hundred and fourteen ballots were received (51 in Europe and 63 in North America), of which 112 supported adoption of the EPIC and Regatta Management Agreements and deletion of the current Specifications Management System. Consequently, the EPIC and Regatta management Agreements are now in force and will be published in the upcoming IDNIYRA Yearbook. Adoption of the EPIC and Regatta Management Agreements also means that all future ballots of IDNIYRA members will be conducted electronically.
Recently, Deb Whitehorse sent out a membership renewal reminder. The IDNIYRA By-laws define the membership year as November 1 through October 31st and only members in good standing may vote on Association affairs, per the IDNIYRA Constitution.
In the last column in Runner Tracks I said that we hoped to have simultaneous postal votes on the EPIC Agreement in North America and Europe this November. The new IDNIYRA EU is now operational and accepting memberships, so the simultaneous postal vote will happen! You should expect to receive ballots about the second week of November and will have to return them to the IDNIYRA Secretary on or before 29 November. Note well, to be counted, your ballot must be back to the Secretary, not just postmarked, by 29 November. This is a shorter turn-around than normal for postal ballots so that the result of the ballot can be reflected in the 2020 yearbook if the measure passes.
Background: In 2018, the North American and European Governing Committees jointly developed two documents, the EPIC (Established Procedures for Iceboat Competition) Agreement and the Regatta Management Agreement. We then published them in Runner Tracks to enable member feedback. These agreements (published in full at here ), if approved by the membership, would satisfy a several goals:
That we continue to sail the same DN in both North America and Europe
That we organize racing the same way in both North America and Europe
That we strengthen our trans-Atlantic relationships so that the DN continues to be the strongest iceboat class world-wide
That we replace the current Specifications Management System so that we can vote electronically on all matters, including technical specifications
That membership in the class be on the same basis in North America and Europe, i.e., an individual paying a fee to IDNIYRA or IDNIYRA EU.
If a 2/3rds majority of IDNIYRA and IDNIYRA EU member ballots approve the EPIC and Regatta Management Agreements, this will be the last postal vote conducted by the DN Class. Warren Nethercote KC3786 Commodore IDNIYRA
The DN is most popular iceboat in the world. Whether you are a racer or cruiser, your $25 membership in the IDNIYRA helps to promote the art and skill of DN ice yacht construction and the sport of ice yachting on all the hard waters of the world.